The LDX-3200 Series Precision Laser Diode Drivers are a best-in-class family of high precision microprocessor-based instruments that offer a high stability, low noise current source with integrated laser diode protection circuits, specifically for controlling laser diodes. These laser diode drivers are known throughout the industry for their reliability, precision, and ease-of-use.
The LDX-3200 Series consists of three family members with current ranges of 50/100mA (LDX-3210), 200/500mA (LDX-3220), and 2A/4A (LDX-3232) covering a wide range of laser diode testing and control applications. The LDX-3232 was developed for controlling high compliance voltage devices such as quantum cascade laser diodes with the same low noise, high stability performance of the series. In addition to precision current control, the LDX-3200 Series products are loaded with standard features such as dual current ranges, constant power control, fi ne/coarse set point control, four-wire forward voltage measurement, and external modulation capability.
All of ILX Lightwave’s proven laser diode protection strategies including adjustable current and voltage limits, intermittent contact protection, and output shorting relays are designed into each driver. For automated testing applications in an R&D or production environment, remote operation is easily accomplished through the GPIB interface. For virtual instrument programming, LabVIEW® instrument drivers are available.
Precision High Stability, Low Noise Laser Control
Laser diodes act as a gain medium. Small drive current fluctuations due to noise and drift are amplified optically. Because of this, a controller with a lower noise and stable output is required to ensure precise wavelength and power control.
Each LDX-3200 Current Source offers digital 16-bit control and measurement allowing setpoint accuracies of +0.05%. Careful attention to design delivers source stability as low as 10ppm with low noise for precise control of laser diodes.
A Choice of Laser Diode Control Modes
Each laser diode driver’s laser current source can be operated in one of three modes:
- Constant current, low bandwidth
- Constant current, high bandwidth
- Constant optical power
The constant current, low bandwidth mode is optimized for DC operation and offers improved laser protection and lowest noise.
In constant current, high bandwidth mode, the output stage supports up to 1MHz modulation frequency for dithering the laser current in power and wavelength tuning applications. For laser protection, the modulation signal is implemented as a differential input, allowing the modulation control voltage and laser outputs to use different grounds.
The constant power mode provides constant optical power operation of your laser diode by measuring the photocurrent from the laser diode’s rear-facet photodiode or an external photodiode in a feedback control loop to the current source.
Setting the Standard in Laser Diode Protection
ILX Lightwave’s internal testing and protection standards ensure protection for your laser diode under abnormal operating conditions such as intermittent contact or severe power spikes. These standards have led to advanced protection features like clamping current limits, even under modulated conditions. In addition, exclusive braid-shielded cables have been specifically designed to suppress radiated noise and transients commonly found in laboratory or production environments.
During AC power-up, careful turn-on sequencing and redundant output shorting circuits protect the laser from current transients. when the output is enabled, the slow-start circuit gradually opens the shorting circuits. Current is shunted through the shorting switch until the control circuits are fully active and all circuit transients have died out.
A feature not found in most laser diode drivers - fast output shutoff - provides an additional level of protection from intermittent contacts between the laser diode and the current source.
These protection features all work in conjunction with all instrument modes of operation, providing worryfree, fail-safe control of your laser diode.
Ease of Operation
The front panel of the LDX-3200 Series Laser Diode Driver offers quick, easy operation and information display without confusing multi-layer menus. A bright, 5-digit, green LED display is easy to read from a distance, even with laser safety eyewear. Laser control is directly addressable from the front panel “adjust” section including a “fine adjustment” function for more precise control for sensitive operating parameters. Instrument parameters and modes are easily selected or adjusted through discrete pushbuttons and a rotary digital encoder.
For automated testing or control applications, remote programming and control of the driver is easily accomplished through the GPIB/IEEE-488 interface. All driver functions are accessible through the interface bus, with commands based on a set of easyto- use mnemonics. Higher resolution measurements of current and voltage are also available through the GPIB interface.
The LDX-3200 Series architecture simplifies routine maintenance. Closed-case calibration can be performed from the front panel or the GPIB interface.
The instrument is placed in calibration mode through a unique combination of front panel push button presses or GPIB commands.
Put Our Expertise to Work
ILX Lightwave is a recognized world leader in laser diode instrumentation and test systems. Our products are not only renowned for their reliability, quality, and value, they’re backed up by industry leading after sales support.
For full product specifications, see the LDX-3200 Series Brochure .
|
|
LDX-3220
|
LDX-3232
|
| Driver Output Current |
| Output Current Range (mA) |
0-200 |
0-500 |
0-2000 |
0-4000 |
| Output Current Resolution (µA) |
4 |
10 |
40 |
80 |
| Output Current Accuracy (% FS) |
±0.05% FS |
| Laser Output Compliance Voltage (V) |
0-10 |
| Temperature Coefficient (ppm/°C) |
<50 |
| Current Output Short-Term Stability (1 h) (ppm FS) |
<10 |
<20 |
| Current Output Long-Term Stability (24 h) (ppm FS) |
<20 |
<40 |
| Noise/Ripple (rms) |
| Laser Output Noise/Ripple (rms) Hi BW (µA) |
4 |
40 |
| Laser Output Noise/Ripple (rms) Lo BW (µA) |
2 |
20 |
| Transients |
| Operational (mA) |
<1 |
<4 |
| 1 kV EFT (mA) |
<8 |
| Surge (mA) |
<12 |
<8 |
| Compliance Voltage Adjustment |
| Range (V) |
0-10 |
| Forward Voltage Resolution (mV) |
50 |
| Forward Voltage Accuracy (%) |
±2.5% |
| Driver Current Limit Settings |
| Range (mA) |
1-202 |
1-505 |
1-2020 |
1-4040 |
| Resolution (mA) |
1 |
2.5 |
10 |
20 |
| Accuracy (mA) |
±2 |
±5 |
±20 |
±40 |
| Photodiode Feedback |
| Type |
Differential |
| Photodiode Reverse Bias (V) |
0 to 5 |
| Monitor Current Range (µA) |
5 to 5000 |
5 to 10000 |
| Monitor Current Stability (24 h) |
±0.02 |
| Setpoint Accuracy (%FS) |
±0.05% |
| External Analog Modulation |
| Input Range (1k Ohm) |
0-10 V |
| Transfer Function (mA/V) |
20 |
50 |
200 |
400 |
| Bandwidth (3dB) |
| External Modulation Bandwidth Hi BW |
DC to 1 |
DC to 250 |
| External Modulation Bandwidth Lo BW |
DC to 15 |
DC to 10 |
| Trigger Output |
| Type |
TTL |
| Pulse Width (µs) |
13 |
| Delay (ms) |
12 |
| Measurement Display |
MD Output Current Range (mA)
|
0-200.000 |
0 to 500.00 |
0-2000.0 |
0 to 4000.0 |
| Output Current Resolution (mA) |
0.01 |
0.1 |
| Output Current Accuracy (% FS) |
±0.05% FS |
| Photodiode Current Range (µA) |
0 to 5000 |
| Photodiode Current Resolution (µA) |
1 |
| Photodiode Current Accuracy (µA) |
±0.04% of FS |
For additional questions contact ILX Lightwave directly at 800-459-9459 or sales@ilxlightwave.com.
LDX-3200 Models
| | Model | Description | avail raw | Availability | price raw | Price | Qty. MULTI ADD |
|---|
|
LDX-3210 |
Precision Laser Diode Driver, 100 mA, GPIB, 120 VAC |
3 |
3 Weeks |
2995 |
$2,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-3210-I |
Precision Laser Diode Driver, 100 mA, GPIB, 220 VAC |
2 |
2 Weeks |
2995 |
$2,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-3220 |
Precision Laser Diode Driver, 500 mA, GPIB, 120 VAC |
2 |
2 Weeks |
2995 |
$2,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-3220-I |
Precision Laser Diode Driver, 500 mA, GPIB, 220 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
2995 |
$2,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-3232 |
Precision Laser Diode Driver, 4000 mA, GPIB, 120 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
3995 |
$3,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-3232-I |
Precision Laser Diode Driver, 4000 mA, GPIB, 220 VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
3995 |
$3,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-3232-J |
High Compliance Precision Laser Diode Driver, 4000 mA, GPIB, 120 VAC |
2 |
2 Weeks |
3995 |
$3,995.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-32420 |
High Power CW Laser Diode Driver (10A & 20A, GPIB, USB), 120VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
3595 |
$3,595.00 |
ADD |
|
LDX-32420-I |
High Power CW Laser Diode Driver (10A & 20A, GPIB, USB), 220VAC |
0 |
In Stock |
3595 |
$3,595.00 |
ADD |
Accessories
| | Model | Description | avail raw | Availability | price raw | Price | Qty. MULTI ADD |
|---|
|
RM-139 |
Single Rack Mount Kit, LDX-3200 Series & LDT-5900 Series |
|
|
|
|
Request Quote |
|
RM-140 |
Dual Rack Mount Kit, LDX-3200 Series & LDT-5900 Series |
|
|
|
|
Request Quote |
|
CC305S |
Current Source/Laser Mount Interconnect, max 5 Amp, DB9 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
85 |
$85.00 |
ADD |
|
CC355S |
Current Source/Laser Mount Interconnect, 5 meter, max 5 Amp, DB9 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
115 |
$115.00 |
ADD |
|
CC305H |
Current Source/Laser Mount Interconnect, max 6 Amp, 7W2 to DB9 |
0 |
In Stock |
90 |
$90.00 |
ADD |
|
CC306S |
Unterminated Current Source Cable, max 5 Amp, DB9 to unterminated |
0 |
In Stock |
75 |
$75.00 |
ADD |
Suggested Mounts
